YWCA's 100 Women of Evansville

Louise Ingram Louise Ingram was often referred to as a pioneer in local education circles. She was the first African-American woman to become principal of a predominantly white school in Vanderburgh County and the first woman principal in the history of the consolidated EVSC. She was a veteran of the Army and served in World War II. A member of Phi Lamba Theta honorary sorority and local, state and national school principal associations, she also served on the boards of the Evansville Museum and United Way.

Sheila Huff Sheila Huff was a teacher at Bosse High School for 22 years before becoming an assistant principal at Glenwood, followed by an appointment as principal at Bosse High School. Described as "an extraordinary educator who cares deeply about the success of her students," Huff was named Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Courier &amp; Press and the University of Evansville and was also recognized as the Educator of the Year by the Black Women's Task Force. She is a member of the board of Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare and remains actively involved with the YWCA. She was an adjunct professor at USI and serves on the mayor's Block Grant Committee.

Donna Leader Donna Leader is an Evansville native who is retired as the development director of Joshua Academy. She previously worked with the Catholic schools in Evansville. She has received certifications in fundraising, creative problem solving, leadership training, planned giving and grant writing. She has been involved through the years in a wide range of community groups, including the Rotary Club of Evansville, Reitz Home Museum, Easter Seals, Goosetown Soup Kitchen, Evansville Arts and Education Council, and United Way. Her accomplishments have earned her the following honors: ANEW Woman in Action Award, Athena Award, YWCA Business Woman of the Year and the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship. She currently serves on the Evansville Arena Committee, the Evansville Visitors and Convention Board of Commissioners, and the Evansville Civic Award Committee.

Jacqueline LaGrone As the executive director of the Evansville Human Rights Commission from 1979 to 1991, Jacqueline LaGrone worked with the local school system to help desegregate public schools. Her own children desegregated Evansville Day School. LaGrone worked to ensure equal employment opportunities in Evansville and is a winner of a national Equal Employment Opportunity Commission award. Other special recognitions include several awards of merit presented by the Evansville mayor, the Sadelle Berger Award, the MLK Freedom Award, a commendation from the NAACP and induction into the Lincoln High School Hall of Fame.

Jane Wittmer Kuhn Jane Kuhn started her banking career at Old National Bank in 1979 as the bank's first woman management trainee. She has since held a variety of high-profile positions and is known for mentoring young professionals through her job and with youth-serving organizations such as the Girl Scouts, YWCA and YMCA. She was honored in 2005 with the Athena Award. She currently serves as the board chair for the Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana and is a board member for United Way and the Carver Community Organization. Over the years, Kuhn was actively involved with a multitude of organizations including the Lampion Center, Society of Human Resource Management, Evansville Rotary Club, Salvation Army and Junior Achievement.

Phyllis Kincaid A lifelong Evansville resident, Phyllis Kincaid is well-known as the founder and director of Youth Resources of Southern Indiana, where she was employed from 1987 until her retirement in 2001. Youth Resources began as a National Crime Prevention Council initiative to reduce crime by engaging children and teens in community service. During Kincaid's tenure, the organization went from full operating support from a Lilly Endowment to full operating support through fundraising and grant writing. She was a program leader and speaker for numerous national and international youth-oriented conferences and wrote the "Step by Step Guide to Community Service." She is a recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash designation and the Jefferson Award.

Bettye Lou Jerrel Bettye Lou Jerrel's commitment to politics began when she was selected at age 24 as the Young Republican National committeewoman. She has held various positions locally, serving as the first female chairman of the Vanderburgh County Republican party. Her work as a member of the Vanderburgh County Commission led to a major grant for early studies of Interstate 69. She was an appointee to the Indiana Textbook Adoption Committee and on the Commission on General Education. Her early work produced initiatives such as statewide testing and the A-plus program. Jerrel was appointed to serve as the only lay person on the Indiana Public Defender Commission and was instrumental in encouraging Vanderburgh County to establish a Public Defender program to replace the court-by-court appointment of public defenders. Recently appointed to the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, she is also involved in many civic organizations.

Shirley James Shirley James was best known for her tireless commitment to the Pigeon Creek Greenway. She served as chair of its advisory committee for 18 years and volunteered to help plan and gain funding for the trail. She was also an activist against illegal dumping and other environmental issues in the city. Working with Westwood Garden Club and Operation City Beautiful, she organized the Westside Improvement Association in 1976, which today remains a powerful advocacy group for wise development. As president of the WSI for almost 20 years, James waged war against urban sprawl, drainage problems, litter and junk yards, creek debris and other pollution. She led development of the Howell Wetlands and was a force behind the restoration of the Pagoda. She received many honors for her leadership, including the prestigious Rotary Club Civic Award in 2000.

Diane Foster Igleheart In 1951, Diane Igleheart recognized the importance of education, and through her hard work and tenacity, Evansville Day School was ultimately established. EDS serves children from preschool through high school. It is one of the very few nonsectarian, independent high schools in Indiana. Through the years, Igleheart has served as trustee emeritus, trustee, president, treasurer and chairwoman of major gifts. She has also been a member of the Junior League of Evansville since 1955 and served as a member of the YWCA's board of trustees. She has served as a member of the Board of Willard Library, vice chairman of the Indiana State Review Board on Historic Preservation, chairman of the Indiana Nature Conservancy board of trustees and myriad positions at First Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Maria Del Rio Hoover Dr. Maria Del Rio Hoover is a neonatologist at St. Mary's Medical Center in Evansville. Both at work and in her spare time, she never stops advocating for the tiniest members of our society. She was president of the Junior League of Evansville in 1992-1993 and is a past chairman of the Vanderburgh County Board of Health. The Indiana Commission for Women recognized her efforts with a Torchbearer Award in March. She was a co-chair of the St. Mary's Hospital for Women and Children Board of Governors. Her commitment to education is utilized in the Community Advisory Council for Indiana University School of Medicine and for EVSC. She was a delegate to the Indiana State Medical Association. Past endeavors include being named to Governor Bayh's Commission on Abused and Neglected Children and Their Families. She was appointed to the Indiana Commission for Early Learning and School Readiness. She is a past president of the Indiana Neonatal Society and a past chairwoman of the Indiana Children's Trust Fund Board. She was also instrumental in bringing a Ronald McDonald House to Evansville.

Estella Moss Estella Moss has spent her adult life working on behalf of positive race relations in our community. The first black county recorder in the state of Indiana, she has served on many commissions, boards, and committees and has received many awards and recognitions. She was a charter member of the African American Museum and was instrumental in developing Liberty Terrace Housing Authority, the first housing development to be built by an African American organization in the state of Indiana. She serves as a member of the mayor's Evansville Human Relations Commission and mentors other activists. At age 82, Moss still works tirelessly on civil rights issues, political action and spreading her belief that everyone should live up to their own "somebodiness."

Sister Justina Morgan, Daughters of Charity As the leader behind the construction and opening of the current St. Mary's Hospital in 1956, Sister Justina Morgan changed the landscape of medicine and nursing in Evansville. Her dedication led her to pioneer the concept of rooming in — the practice of keeping mother, father and baby together before, during and after a birth. She also worked with medical staff to establish the medical audit, a move that improved medical standards in Evansville. She helped provide education opportunities for nurses by offering and paying for continuing education, helping to build the foundation for patient-centered care.

Mattie Miller Well-known to the education community in Indiana, Mattie Miller was the first black woman teacher at Evansville's Harper Elementary School, an all white school in 1960. She has served as EVSC reading clinician, high school guidance counselor, assistant middle school principal and principal. She spent her entire career teaching in Evansville and helping students, teachers and parents succeed in education. She is a past director of the Indiana State Teachers Association and the National Education Association and served as president of the Vanderburgh County Retired Educators. She is a Lilly Endowment Leadership Education Fellow and was honored by then-Gov. Bayh as a Sagamore of the Wabash.

Bridget McDaniel Bridget McDaniel founded Tales &amp; Scales 25 years ago to ignite young people's imaginations. Because of her leadership, the organization continued beyond her tenure and thrived under numerous directors, impacting more than 15,000 Evansville area young people each year. During a restructuring of Tales &amp; Scales in 2008, McDaniel uprooted her life in Florida to return to Evansville and volunteered to serve as a full-time interim executive producing director. In addition to working without pay, she has provided financial support during the reorganization, broadened the base of volunteers, and enlisted the help of others to underwrite the outfitting and moving of offices to a new location. Outside of Tales &amp; Scales, McDaniel has lent her support to the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and the Evansville Day School.

Ethel Farquhar McCollough When Ethel McCollough came to Evansville in 1912 to be the first chief librarian for the public library system, the system consisted of two buildings, both still under construction, no books and no staff. She devoted her energy toward the establishment of a progressive library system. After she had been here nine years, there were seven branch libraries. From introducing an apprentice employment system, to placing book drop boxes at schools, to lobbying the county commissioners to provide library services on a countywide basis, McCollough's efforts grew the library system by leaps and bounds. Her crowning achievement was the construction of Central Library at the corner of Fifth and Locust streets. She served as the chief librarian for 35 years.

Carol McClintock Carol McClintock has been a tireless volunteer in many aspects of Evansville community life. As a successful real estate broker, she has served as a mentor for a number of women and has organized an ongoing social group for women newly residing in this area. She was appointed by the governor to be a member of the Indiana Real Estate Commission; she is currently acting as its chairwoman. Having just completed her first year as president of the Evansville Dance Theatre board of directors, McClintock has also been active with Mesker Park Zoo &amp; Botanic Garden, Deaconess Hospital Foundation, Vanderburgh County Greenway Committee, WNIN and service as a Vanderburgh County commissioner.

Sondra L. Matthews Sondra Matthews is currently publisher of Our Times, a biweekly newspaper that she developed in the 1980s. She was instrumental in the creation and success of the African American Museum in Evansville, which allows visitors to learn about and honor many important people and events from and/or connected to Evansville. She has also been highly involved in a variety of civic organizations. These include the Evansville Coalition of African American Women, Vanderburgh County Minority Health Coalition, Hoosier Minority Chamber of Commerce, YWCA, and the Black Student Union Alumni and Friends Association at UE. She has received numerous recognitions locally and throughout the state, most notably being named Sagamore of the Wabash by then-Gov. Evan Bayh.

Karen Magan With a passion for children and education, Karen Magan began efforts in the early 1990s to bring a thriving children's museum to our community. As a former teacher and lifelong member of the Junior League of Evansville, Magan believed in the need and importance of having a safe and loving environment for kids and families to come together. Largely through her push, the Children's Museum of Evansville stands today as a testament to her vision and hard work. Aside from her zeal for children, Magan has been an avid supporter of arts in Evansville in a broad spectrum of endeavors. She has had many honors bestowed upon her by both local and state organizations, including the Sagamore of the Wabash award.

Addie Maddox In 1921, Addie Maddox was hired as one of the first policewomen in the Evansville Police Department. The newly-created title of "Policewoman" was listed as a separate position on the organizational chart and had its own job description, part of which read, "It shall be their specific duty to visit public dance halls, parks, picture shows, theaters, cafes, stores, stations and other places frequented by women and girls. The work of policewomen shall be protection and reformation of girls and women." Due to political issues at the time, Maddox and the other policewomen were fired in 1935. Maddox fought the dismissal in court and after a five-year battle, she returned to the force and worked another 19 years. She was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Police and was the oldest officer in history to retire from the Evansville Police Department at age 74. The Addie Maddox Award was created in 1971 and is presented annually to a member of the FOP who displays the traits that Maddox did.

Lynn Miller-Pease Lynn Miller-Pease has served as executive director of Leadership Evansville since 2003. LE is an organization that trains and develops local leaders. In addition to her work there, she has served as the president of both Holly's House and Alhambra Theater. She is an active participant of Haynie's Corner Arts District, Indiana Leadership Association and Evansville's Celebration of Diversity Lecture Series. She received the 2010 Berger Community Service Award for her work in promoting fairness, inclusion and respect for all.

Gayle Gerling Pettinga Gayle Gerling Pettinga is managing attorney for Gerling Law. Over the years, she has mentored and worked with several young adults who wished to enter the field of law. Her commitment to Evansville families is evident with her annual Bike Helmet Giveaway, which provides helmets to children who cannot afford them. She has distributed nearly 5,000 helmets during the past four years. Pettinga also started an outreach campaign — "Hang Up and Drive" — which alerts drivers to the dangers of talking and texting while driving. A generous financial contributor to many nonprofits, Pettinga serves on several community boards, including Holly's House, Gilda's Club, the Women's Fund of Vanderburgh County and the Juvenile Guidance Foundation.

Aline Nunn Renner Aline Renner's career began as a young woman, working for the family business. She served as treasurer and director during a time when not many women were in positions of power in the workplace. A prominent philanthropist and volunteer, she was a lifetime member of the USI Foundation board of directors and left a generous gift upon her death to be used for scholarship awards to business or education students. Using her energy, dedication and financial support, she worked with her sister to make much-needed renovations to the YWCA's building. Her hard work also benefitted Deaconess Hospital, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sigma Alpha Sorority, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and the Women's Rotary, among others.

Holly Dunn Pendleton The victim of a violent physical and sexual assault and witness to her boyfriend's murder, Holly Dunn Pendleton has used her traumatic experience to help others heal from, or hopefully avoid, similar situations. Holly's House, a child and advocacy center for victims of intimate crimes, was co-founded by Pendleton and opened in 2008. Pendleton is not only a spokeswoman for Holly's House, she is also involved with many community organizations and outreach programs and is a member of the Vanderburgh County Commission on Domestic Violence. She has become a motivational speaker, reaching out to others. She was the recipient of the 2006 Jefferson Award and traveled to Washington, D.C., in 2006 to receive the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for public service.

Mary-Beth Owen In 1989, the Evansville advertising agency owned by Mary-Beth Owen and her husband was contracted to do promotional work for the first Komen Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C. The Owen company continued doing work for Komen races, and in 1996, after six years of involvement in an event she'd never seen, Owen decided to run in the race in Washington, D.C. Impressed with the experience, Owen decided to bring the event to Evansville. She and Julie Blevins cochaired the first Susan G. Komen Evansville Race for the Cure in 1998. It has turned into one of this community's major annual events, consistently boasts up to 19,000 participants each year, and raises thousands of dollars for research and services for area breast cancer patients.

Louise Owen Louise Owen has been an ambassador for education and athletics in Evansville, opening the door for many females to participate in organized sports. A tennis and softball champion herself, Owen is best known as a former teacher and coach at Reitz High School, where she taught for 31 years. In her gym classes, she taught female students the importance of fitness and stressed physical activity as a lifestyle for people of all ages. In the 1970s, Owen's basketball team was the first Indiana High School Athletic Association women's sectional champion in Evansville. Less than five years later, her team won the state title. She was selected to coach the Indiana All Star Basketball team in 1981. She advocated for scholarships for her players, and the Louise Owen Scholarship is now awarded annually to an outstanding female athlete at Reitz High School. She is the recipient of many sports and coaching awards and is a member of several athletic-related halls of fame.

Jane Blaffer Owen Jane Owen was the architect of the modern rebirth of Historic New Harmony just west of Evansville. The Roofless Church is just one example of her vision. She was the driving force behind the New Harmony Atheneum, widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most important architectural landmarks. She oversaw the restoration of nearly 40 Harmonist and Owen era buildings and sites and continued until her death promoting the community as a mecca for the arts, enlightening lectures and religious retreats. She created the New Harmony Inn and the Red Geranium Restaurant. She also supported the Evansville Museum, USI and many other nonprofit groups in our community.

Virginia O'Leary For more than 35 years, attorney Virginia O'Leary represented women and minorities seeking equal employment opportunity. Her office represented more than 1,000 individual claimants and more than 6,000 class members in employment discrimination and other civil rights cases, facing down large corporations to ensure that women and minorities have equal opportunity in the workplace. After successfully prosecuting a nationwide gender discrimination class action, the management of the company involved arranged for O'Leary to speak to male managers from all parts of the country. She led successful efforts to integrate women into the work force in a number of jobs formerly denied to women: skilled labor apprenticeship programs; carpenters, painters and dry wall finishers; the coal mines; a number of positions with railroads; truck driving positions in the petroleum industry; and operations management of the largest delivery service in the United States. O'Leary was recognized by the Indiana Commission for Women with the first Torchbearer award presented in the category of law.

Suzanne Nicholson Suzanne Nicholson was a dedicated employee at several institutions, most notably St. Mary's Foundation and the USI Foundation, where she was the first female president. During her tenure, the assets of the USI Foundation grew from $600,000 to more than $50 million. For many years, she was president of the Martha and Meritt deJong Foundation, which supports arts organizations throughout the area. Nicholson devoted herself to numerous other local organizations, many times serving in leadership positions. When she was president of the Junior League of Evansville, the idea for Leadership Evansville was born, and Nicholson helped found that program and served as its first president. She was also a driving force behind the campaign to assure USI's status as a separate state university.

Lisa Muller Lisa Muller is a high school teacher and founding member of CYPRESS, the Committee to Promote Respect in Schools. CYPRESS was formed to encourage the teaching of the Holocaust in area schools because of its lessons of tolerance and respect for diversity. A nationally and internationally recognized Holocaust educator, Muller is a Fellow of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. She was one of only eight educators in the country chosen to go to California in 2003 to create the curriculum for Steven Spielberg's Visual History Foundation Archives. She is a recipient of the prestigious Mandel Fellowship from the U.S. Holocaust Museum.

Maura Robinson In 2003, Maura Robinson and a group of Latino members of the community founded HOLA, the first local nonprofit organization focused on the Hispanic population. Their mission is to enhance appreciation of cultural diversity and to achieve the successful inclusion of this community. Robinson has worked to successfully include Latinos in the community by representing them on various boards, developing culture awareness trainings and consultation services. Through her consulting company, which she founded in 1994, she has developed curriculums to implement diversity training for businesses, creating policies, and procedures in the areas of minority awareness, recruitment, hiring and coaching.

Joann Schwentker Joann Schwentker has been a dedicated community volunteer for the past 50 years, focusing on the causes of social justice and improved opportunities for all. In the 1960s, when tensions were high over civil rights, school integration and busing, Schwentker gathered a meeting of African-American and white citizens to have a dialogue on current civil issues. She has served on the mayor's Human Relations Commission and many other committees. Her work garnered her the Family and Children's Service Award in the late 1970s. As president of the YWCA, in 1991 she started the Live Y'ers program, which provides mentoring for young girls and has grown impressively through the years. Schwentker has been involved with the Junior League of Evansville, Vanderburgh County Community Foundation, Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center, United Methodist Youth Home, WNIN and other community organizations.

Virginia Schroeder With a passion for the visual and performing arts, Virginia Schroeder's involvement with the Evansville Museum spans 35 years. She began by working as a member of the Docent Association and later joined the museum's board of trustees. Along with her husband, she has sponsored some of the most important exhibitions that have been presented. When the museum's north wing was completely renovated in 1997, it was the Schroeders and their family's company who stepped forward to provide principal funding for that project. Her stewardship continues as the museum currently embarks on a new major renovation. Schroeder's other volunteer service includes work with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, UE's Committee of Continuing Education Program, YWCA, and the board of St. Mary's Medical Center Foundation. She has received numerous awards for her dedication to the community and to the arts.

Sue Schriber Sue Schriber's list of community outreach endeavors in the area of the arts is far-reaching. She has been a board member of the Mayor's Art Award, chaired several galas for the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, chaired several Reitz Home Mystery Events, participated in every "Really Big Show," done workshops for the Girl Scouts, helped with Special Needs Day at the museum, served on the board of the USI Society for Arts and Humanities and choreographed the Sweet Adelines, to name a few. She is a professional singer as well as a middle school counselor. She has served as the drama director for the vastly popular EVSC/Public Education Foundation summer musical, where she nurtures young people and helps them reach their potential in the dramatic arts.

Kathy Schoettlin In her 14 years with the American Red Cross, Kathy Schoettlin served her community in a variety of capacities, including management of an HIV/AIDS education program and as director of disaster services and volunteer services. Employed at Old National Bank, Schoettlin is one of the bank's most prolific volunteers, having logged more than 400 volunteer hours in 2010 alone. She serves on nine community boards. Among her favorite volunteer activities is being a "Big Sister" to Tylyn, her "Little" of five years. She played an instrumental leadership role in the creation of two Evansville-area educational initiatives: "I Stayed" and the Center for Family, School and Community Partnerships, both of which were created to help bridge the gap facing Indiana's public school system. Schoettlin has a passion for mentoring young women and has served as a personal mentor to approximately 45 of them.

Irene J. Saucer Irene Saucer is a former EVSC school teacher who retired in 1992 after 27 years of teaching. Before becoming a teacher, she was employed with Carter Community Center as the Girls' Program Director. She has been a longtime volunteer with the Boom Squad, where she leads the squad and conducts parent workshops. She also coaches students on study habits and supports various activities encouraging students to stay in school and complete college. She is committed to participating weekly in her women's Bible study class and other church mission group activities.

Christina Ryan Christina Ryan has dedicated her professional life to making top quality health care available to women and infants in the state of Indiana. As CEO of The Women's Hospital, she has helped establish a local support group for women with multiple sclerosis, developed the first support group for families with Down syndrome children and assisted with the development of a bereavement program for women and families who have experienced a pregnancy loss. She has been an advocate of breastfeeding and has expanded the hospital's lactation department to provide the highest level of support possible. She has been very active with issues surrounding modernization of Medicaid and has been following legislation targeting hospital performance and reimbursement. Ryan was instrumental in bringing robotic-assisted surgery to the Tri-State area. She serves on the ECHO OB Community Clinic Task Force and worked to improve access to care for underprivileged pregnant women.

Constance Robinson Constance Robinson is president and owner of her own company and is the first African-American city councilwoman. She gives back to the neighborhoods she represents through various initiatives by touching the lives of children, the aged and those less fortunate. She is always willing to share her expertise to minority- and women-owned businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. She holds memberships/leadership positions with the Minority Business Development Council, NAACP and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, among other groups. Her efforts can be felt throughout the city through her focus on economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and private and public partnerships.

(File Photo) Drug abuse, interview skills and other job-related topics were discussed at a town hall meeting Saturday led by state Representative Gail Riecken.

Betty Rice Betty Rice is the founding first lady of the USI. She played a key supportive role in the development of the university from 1967 to 1994 while her husband, David, was the first dean and later president of the campus. Rice helped to establish student life programs on the campus, including Greek-letter organizations, Madrigal dinners and cultural events. She drew in friends and community to engage in the college's first fundraising efforts. She was also instrumental in urging the campus leaders to undertake marketing efforts to attract larger numbers of female students. Rice also served dozens of community organizations, including the Girl Scouts, United Way, YWCA, Extension Homemakers, among others.

Dallas Bower Suhreinrich Dallas Suhreinrich grew up in the late 1920s and early 1930s in a family who believed it was its responsibility to help the less fortunate. She was a significant philanthropist, making major gifts to local universities and to organizations as varied as Goodwill, the Philharmonic Orchestra and the YWCA. She also served on many community boards. She never forgot her beginnings as a teacher and supported educational activities with great enthusiasm her entire life.

Susie Hartig Summers For nearly three decades, attorney Susie Summers has led the effort in Vanderburgh County to provide civil legal services to the poor and vulnerable. As the executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Evansville, she has overseen the provision of desperately needed civil legal services to tens of thousands of our community's neediest citizens. In addition, she has served on various bar and court committees at the local and state level. When she joined the Evansville law community, only a dozen or so women practiced law in the area. With the help of Summers, women attorneys today see fewer barriers to success. Actively involved with dozens of community initiatives and nonprofit groups throughout her career, she has also served several entities designed to deal with domestic violence.

Trudy Stock Trudy Stock is the president and CEO of Harding, Shymanski and Co. of Evansville. She has been with the firm for 25 years, starting her career there as a staff accountant. At the workplace, Stock was instrumental in the creation of an alternative work schedule and mentoring program, which have empowered women in the organization. She has served as a personal mentor to other professionals, assisting in career development and advancement. She enjoys giving back to the community by being involved in a variety of community activities, including Junior Achievement, the Boys and Girls Club, WNIN, YWCA and the Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve.

Sallie Wyatt Stewart Sallie Stewart was born in 1881 and worked as a teacher for 50 years. Eventually becoming the principal of Lincoln School, she pushed students to ignore racism and strive for a higher education. She was the first African-American woman in Evansville to organize a resource for African-American girls. It was called the National Association for Colored Girls (NACG). It provided a home away from home for girls who came to Evansville to work. The girls were taught etiquette and proper conduct, and higher education was strongly encouraged through scholarships. Stewart invested in local property, which she often rented to other African-Americans. She was elected president of the national chapter of the NACG and was the first African-American woman on the board of the National Federation of Women's Clubs.

Alberta Stevenson Alberta Stevenson was a teacher in Evansville schools for more than 40 years before her retirement in 1974. She was the first black librarian in an Evansville high school and the first black school counselor in the public school system. She was also the first black member of the Evansville Board of Realtors. She was instrumental in establishing local programs to encourage minority students to attend college and also helped establish an NAACP program to help parents prepare children for elementary school. Together with her husband, Stevenson led the development of Liberty Terrace apartments for elderly and handicapped people in Evansville. In 1980, she was named Woman of the Year by the Indiana NAACP Auxiliary. She was honored by the National Council of Negro Women in 1983 and was listed in the publication of Outstanding Black Women in the State of Indiana. In 1985, she received the Sadelle Berger Human Rights Award for her contributions to the community.

Sherrianne Standley Sherrianne Standley is vice president emerita for advancement at USI and the first woman in the state to be named a public university vice president. She managed USI's transition from a regional campus to a separate public university, served as a longtime member of the management team and directed the first capital campaign, which surpassed its goal by $8 million. She retired from USI in 2007 after a 31-year career influencing the growth and development of the school. Other organizations have benefitted from her involvement and leadership. These include the Public Education Foundation, YWCA, Keep Evansville Beautiful, Vanderburgh County Historical Society and the Indiana Democratic Party State Central Committee.

Marjorie Soyugenc Marjorie Soyugenc came to Evansville in 1970, when she began a career at Welborn Baptist Hospital that led to her serving as its president and CEO from 1986 to 1999. Upon the sale of the hospital, she became executive director and CEO of Welborn Baptist Foundation, where she served until her retirement in 2008. She was one of the first women to receive a master's of business administration from the University of Evansville in 1973. She was the first woman appointed to the Old National Bancorp board of directors, where she has served since 1993. Soyugenc's career in health care began at a time when women had not yet attained top leadership positions in the field.

Vicki Snyder

Belle Smith Igleheart Belle Igleheart spent her entire life advocating for women, education, racial justice and the sick. She worked with Albion Fellows Bacon on the founding of the YWCA in 1911 and went on to assist in the founding of Evansville College. In 1928, she received the Rotary Civic Award, one of the first women to receive such an honor. She supported the Rathbone Home, the first "assisted living" home for single or widowed women in Evansville. She was a generous personal contributor to the Community Chest (now the United Way). Igleheart "maintained a bed" at Welborn-Walker Hospital for many years. This bed was available for indigent patients at no cost. She also assisted in the education of young students — both black and white — from her own personal funds. In 1956, Igleheart donated land that was used to expand Highland School and to develop the Northwoods Nature Preserve.

Sister Mary Stella Simpson, Daughters of Charity As a nurse midwife in 1956, Sister Mary Stella Simpson was one of the first health-care providers in the nation to encourage fathers to be present at the birth of their child. Coming to St. Mary's Hospital in 1958, Simpson advocated for family-centered maternity care. She partnered with Mead Johnson to make the documentary film "Hospital Maternity Care: Family-Centered" and traveled the country to consult with health-care providers and share her concepts. In 1963, she became the president of the American College of Nurse Midwives, a position she served for two terms followed by a six-year stint on the executive board. After being reassigned to Mississippi for more than 20 years, Simpson returned to Evansville in 1985, where she continued her work and won several prestigious awards in health care and nursing.

Lisa Seif Lisa Seif is director of the Warrick County Drunk Driving and Drug Court program and the Warrick County Court Substance Abuse Services program. She joined the Drug Court/Problem Solving Court movements after 20 years of employment at the Mulberry Center. She advocates for addicted individuals who are seen and treated as criminals. She conveys a message of recovery, health and hope to an often misunderstood and oppressed population. She is credited for raising visibility, awareness and understanding about addictive disorders throughout the community.

Tracy Zeller As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Tracy Zeller has worked hard to become a leader in the business community. Since she opened Tracy Zeller Enterprises six years ago, the Tri-State has witnessed six other jewelry stores close their doors. Zeller has been generous in giving other small business owners — particularly women — advice on marketing, branding and entrepreneurship. She participates in a wide range of speaking engagements, often focusing on young people and success. She is well-known in the community for her commitment to giving back. In addition to the hundreds of gift bags, shopping sprees and monetary donations given to community organizations such as Evansville ARC, Komen Race for the Cure, Vanderburgh Humane Society and many others, Zeller and her team are a consistent and visible presence at many fundraising events.

Rose Young Since 1975, Rose Young has worked in the political arena, first as an assistant for two congressmen until she was appointed to two state-level committees in the late 1980s. She was hired by Easter Seals in 1991, where she worked in public relations and marketing. She said that her most arduous and rewarding experience was to secure funding from the Indiana Legislature to enable expansion of The Rehabilitation Center in Evansville. She was later recruited by Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel to serve as his chief of staff, a position she holds today. In her role, she serves as the mayor's liaison to all city departments and employees and the community at large. She has been involved in a number of city committees, and her list of volunteer organizations includes the Evansville Museum, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, YWCA and the Willard Library. Since 2004, she has also mentored young women at Harwood Middle School and has been the recipient of several community honors. Since 1975, Rose Young has worked in the political arena, first as an assistant for two congressmen until she was appointed to two state-level committees in the late 1980s. She was hired by Easter Seals in 1991, where she worked in public relations and marketing. She said that her most arduous and rewarding experience was to secure funding from the Indiana Legislature to enable expansion of The Rehabilitation Center in Evansville. She was later recruited by Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel to serve as his chief of staff, a position she holds today. In her role, she serves as the mayor's liaison to all city departments and employees and the community at large. She has been involved in a number of city committees, and her list of volunteer organizations includes the Evansville Museum, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, YWCA and the Willard Library. Since 2004, she has also mentored young women at Harwood Middle School and has been the recipient of several community honors.

Marcia Yockey A 35-year veteran of local television, Marcia Yockey came to Evansville in 1953 and was an immediate ratings success as she broadcast the nightly weather report. Wanting to be known as a knowledgeable newscaster instead of a pretty face, she was a trained meteorologist who sought to educate her viewers about the weather. With her trademark ponytail, Yockey would often entertain her viewing audience by scribbling temperatures and precipitation levels on her ever-changing weather maps. She was known as a character around town, once dressing as a spider for her Halloween weather report and once donning a long wig and body stocking as Lady Godiva for a local parade. She flew her own Piper Cub airplane and was only the 100th woman in the country to receive a helicopter license.

Sue Woodson Sue Woodson was instrumental in establishing the city's first shelter for battered women and their children, the city's first homeless shelter and first nonprofit health center. She helped organize soup kitchens for the poor and programs to foster better interracial relations. With a strong interest in government, she served as a coordinator for years of the annual Meet Your Legislators programs and was past president of the League of Women Voters. Woodson also was a member of the Human Relations Commission, past executive director of the Evansville Council of Churches and the Musicians Club, a founding member of the Goosetown Soup Kitchen and a volunteer at St. Anthony's Soup Kitchen. Other organizations benefiting from her assistance include United Way, Evansville Campus Ministries and ARK Crisis Child Care Center.

Lucy Williams Lucy Williams graduated from high school in Evansville in 1958 and has lived in the Glenwood neighborhood since 1968. She is president of the Glenwood Neighborhood Association, spearheading a program called Neighborhood Cleanup. She plans to continue her work to improve Caldwell Park. She is also a mentor in a neighbor-to-neighbor program sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which encourages women older than 40 to get mammograms. Williams has been involved in Missionary Baptist churches her entire life, working with women's ministries and mission ministries of her parish. She was recognized by the "100 Black Women Organization," and she and her spouse have received Sparkplug awards from the United Neighborhoods of Evansville for the commitment to their neighborhood association. She was recognized by Leadership Evansville for her community volunteer work in 2010.

Linda White Linda White began her career at Deaconess Hospital more than 30 years ago as a nurse auditor. She later became the hospital's first female president and CEO and eventually the first female president and CEO of the entire health system. Throughout her tenure, White has been a strong advocate of patient-centered care. Her civic and community involvement has included work with a variety of organizations, such as Leadership Evansville, Operation City Beautiful, ARK Crisis Nursery and the Junior League of Evansville. The Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA and United Way have also benefitted from White's volunteer spirit. Among her honors through the years, White received the Athena award in 2001 and was named the University of Evansville's Delta Sigma Pi Business leader of 2004.

Sylvia Neff Weinzapfel Sylvia Weinzapfel became the executive director of the YWCA in 1988, where she established services and launched new programs in her 22 years in that position. Some of her recent work includes expanded services to the disabled, developing a new program for at-risk girls in third through 12th grades, starting counseling and educational programs for children living at the YWCA, establishing the Transition Housing Recovery program and developing new services for victims of domestic violence. In the past, Weinzapfel was involved in several volunteer organizations, among them the League of Women Voters and CASA of Evansville.

Daniela Vidal In 2003, along with a group of Latino leaders, Daniela Vidal founded HOLA, the first nonprofit organization focused on enhancing the lives of this population in our area. Vidal drafted the core values of the organization and the goals and objectives for achieving those values. She was involved in the creation of the Juan Diego Latino Center, where a wide range of outreach services are offered to the Latino community. She has participated in career fairs and college tours to encourage student integration, and she involves herself in activities to create awareness and increase the positive Latino impact in Evansville.

Sister Joanna Trainer, Order of St. Benedict After 34 years as an elementary school teacher, at a time in life when most individuals are planning their retirement, Sister Joanna Trainer started a second career, which spanned more than 20 years and touched the lives of more than 1,000 homeless women and children in Evansville. In the early 1980s, Trainer and her friends started a soup kitchen at St. Paul's. Episcopal Church. When she discovered that many of the soup kitchen patrons stayed on the streets at night, she worked to start a residential center for these women and children. The House of Bread and Peace opened in 1986, providing a loving home atmosphere for women to rebuild their lives. Women in need are welcomed and not judged on race, religion, illness or previous failing. The house continues to serve a wide range of women today, and includes those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, victims of poor choices, convicted felons and those who are undereducated.

Willie Effie Thomas Willie Thomas is known as the "first lady" of Evansville's civil rights movement. She came to Evansville in 1941 to begin a teaching career that lasted 36 years. She began a radio program, sponsored by the NAACP, which provided experiences for youths and adults and helped prepare them for a career in the media. In the 1950s, Thomas' activism led to some of the first sit-ins at Evansville restaurants and hotels. For minorities, she worked to give access to Mesker Park, to provide access to lodging at the YWCA, to break housing barriers and to secure jobs from local companies. She reportedly opposed violence and preferred "conference table solutions." She was involved in several community organizations, and the Evansville Human Relations Commission has named its annual Development Award after Thomas.

Rebecca Nunn Couch Rebecca Couch began her career as a young woman working in the family business founded by her father, Charles E. Nunn. She was a vital member of the team at Nunn Milling Co. and served as a director in a time when women did not hold many leadership positions. Couch's enthusiasm for causes close to her heart was infectious. Couch founded a scholarship fund at the University of Southern Indiana and decided to use her energy and financial support to help restore the YWCA after having toured the building with her sister. Other Evansville institutions benefiting from Couch's talents included the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sigma Alpha Sorority, the Women's Rotary Club and the Deaconess Hospital Foundation.

Suzanne Crouch Suzanne Crouch, currently a state representative, has represented her constituents through public service since 1994. During that time, she has advocated on behalf of the elderly and disabled, promoted economic development activities, provided greater access to government leaders, and researched ways to improve government efficiencies. Her volunteer work includes board experience or membership with Evansville ARC, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Commission, Evansville/Vanderburgh Commission on Homelessness and the Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center.

Jan Davies Jan Davies is the chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana, a position she's held since 1983. Her volunteer efforts reflect a wide variety of interests, including work with Deaconess Women's Hospital, A Network of Evansville Women, United Way and Youth Resources. She holds the distinction of being the first female member of the local Rotary Club and served as president of the Junior League of Evansville in 1987-88. She headed the Blue Ribbon Committee at Mesker Park Zoo &amp; Botanic Garden, assisting that organization in revitalizing its presence in our area and planning for its future.

Rita Eykamp Rita Eykamp's passion for the arts and education will benefit Evansville for years to come. She has served on 25 plus committees and councils through the years — some on a state level — and received 15 awards ranging from the Governor's Arts Award to the Rotary Club of Evansville's Distinguished Service civic award to the Leadership Evansville Leader of the Year designation. She serves on the University of Evansville board of trustees and served as co-chair for the restoration efforts of The Victory. Among her many other beneficiaries are the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, the Boy Scouts, Junior League of Evansville, WNIN, and Evansville Dance Theatre. Eykamp's three decades of commitment to the Evansville Museum continues today in her chairmanship of an ambitious capital campaign.

Isabella Fine While many women of her generation and social status traveled in their own circles, Isabella Fine was an activist and doer. Her willingness to roll up her sleeves to improve a situation or create a solution benefitted — and continues to benefit — many local organizations. Fine was a member of the original Community Chest (now United Way), a member of several school PTA groups, chairwoman of the first Girl Scout cookie sale in Evansville, a Sunday school teacher at the Adath B'nai Israel Temple, a board member of the YWCA and UE Theatre Society, member of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra Guild and Evansville Museum board. Through her involvement with UE, she and her husband led many tours to Europe with the Harlaxton Society. Her community spirit carries on today through her work with the EVSC Foundation, the Public Education Foundation and Signature School.

Nancy Gaunt A breaker of glass ceilings, Nancy Gaunt has accomplished many "firsts" in her life. Just out of college in the late 1960s, she was the first woman account executive at Keller Crescent in Evansville. Shortly thereafter, she was the first woman U.S. Senate news secretary from Indiana and the youngest Senate news secretary on Capitol Hill. She was the first woman television news reporter in Evansville and the first successful woman investment broker at Hilliard Lyons in Evansville. Her community work has focused on human services and cultural nonprofit organizations, such as the YWCA, the Indiana Women's Political Caucus and the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. She is the founder of Leadership Evansville's Youth Leadership program. She is the recipient of several community honors, including the Athena Award, the Mayor's Arts Patron Award and the Leadership Evansville Distinguished Leader Award.

Carolyn Georgette Carolyn Georgette began her career at Indiana Bell Telephone Co. in 1953 and was employed there for 38 years. She worked her way up to become the first woman to hold the position of director of consumer markets and manager of community affairs. Involved in many organizations, Georgette was the first woman to serve as the USI Foundation Board chair, the first female president of the Chamber of Commerce and one of the first female Rotary presidents in Evansville. She was appointed by then-Gov. Robert D. Orr to serve on the Board of Incorporators, which guided the establishment of the University of Southern Indiana. She also served on the Center City Development Committee, which created a downtown master plan.

Tess Grimm Grimm was the director of the Reitz Home Museum for 22 years. During that time, she led the restoration of the home and the carriage house, raising more than $1,000,000 toward that effort. She has conducted thousands of tours of the facility and was a catalyst in developing monthly educational programs, giving adults and children a taste of history during the Victorian era. Grimm has also been active in the community, working for organizations such as the Evansville Rotary, A Network of Evansville Women, UE Theatre Society, Junior League of Evansville and the Evansville Philharmonic Guild.

Belle "Jingle" Igleheart Hagey Jingle Hagey has served on many community and state boards, often in the capacity of chairwoman. She served on the boards of the YWCA, Evansville Museum, UE Theatre Society, Junior League of Evansville and Planned Parenthood. She serves as a trustee for the Indiana chapter of the Nature Conservancy and Willard Library and has volunteered for Tales &amp; Scales, United Way and many other groups. She conceived the idea and led the first Spirit of Giving luncheon, and she is one of the founders of the Vanderburgh County Women's Fund. Not afraid to get her hands dirty, Hagey has helped build many Habitat for Humanity homes and cooks and serves food monthly at Potter's Wheel in Evansville.

Luzada Hayes

Roberta Heiman Roberta Heiman was a reporter for Evansville newspapers for many years. She resurrected the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana six years ago and has been on the board since then. She initiated and sustains the process of live candidate debates on WNIN and has worked with the county clerk to improve election procedures. She is also leading the League's initiative to consider city-county reorganization. A founding member of Youth Resources, Heiman helped guide the implementation of the Lilly Endowment-funded National Crime Prevention pilot designed to engage children and teens in youth-led community service. She single-handedly created the Evansville-area Trails Coalition and serves on the local board of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Advisory Board of the Pigeon Creek Greenway. In 2010, she was given the Sara B. Davies Award by Leadership Evansville.

Susan Helfrich After spending her early career in Washington, D.C., working in the area of women's equity, Susan Helfrich returned to Evansville and served for 25 years as executive director of the Evansville Bar Association. She made a commitment early in her tenure to develop a pro bono program and was subsequently appointed by the Indiana Chief Justice as the only nonattorney on the statewide committee for designing the funding process and delivery of legal services to the poor. The Volunteer Lawyer Program of Southwestern Indiana, widely regarded as the best pro bono program in Indiana, was the local result of the many years of statewide work. She was the architect of the Evansville Bar Foundation, which has funded a wide variety of projects including diversity recruitment efforts and law related education for Evansville youths. She currently serves as a board member of the Vanderburgh Community Foundation and on the commission charged with drafting a city-county government consolidation plan.

Kim Hermann Kim Hermann made an early decision to share her skills with local nonprofit organizations. She first joined the Junior League of Evansville, where she served as president in 1991-1992. Highlights of her presidency included opening the Over the Rainbow playground at Wesselman Park, the first playground in Evansville for both disabled and able-bodied children. Also during her presidency, the task force for Children's Hands On (now the Koch Family Children's Museum of Evansville) was started. Hermann's other activities include work for Memorial High School Friends and Alumni Board, the YWCA board, the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation Board, Easter Seals board, and the Ronald McDonald Children's Charities board.

Sara Burckhartt Davies Sara Davies served for 23 years as the executive director of Leadership Evansville, an organization dedicated to developing effective leaders and communitywide betterment. Her knack for teaching collaboration translated into a new look at diversity in our area. She was the founder and chair of the Community Foundation Alliance and served in leadership positions with the Evansville Environmental Protection Agency, American Judicature Society, National Association of Community Leadership, Riverfront Task Force and many other organizations.

Pam Decker Pam Decker spent the first 24 years of her professional life as a special-education teacher in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. In 2005, she was appointed executive director of Joshua Academy Charter School. Over the course of her career, she served on the board of directors of the Evansville Teachers Association and the Indiana State Teachers Association. She founded the Minority Student Achievement Initiative-Evansville, a grassroots group committed to helping the local school corporation find viable solutions to close the achievement gap in the Evansville community. She currently serves on the Evansville Education Roundtable, the Early Childhood Development Coalition and the Minority Affairs Committee of the EVSC.

Mary Dentino Mary Dentino is a professor and dean of the School of Business at Ivy Tech Community College. She believes that teaching is first and foremost about learning, and her goal is to instill in students a love of knowledge, thinking and questioning that leads to lifelong learning. She is a champion for the promotion of global learning and the incorporation of cultural competency into Ivy Tech's curriculum. Two of her professional development projects, faculty development and learning-centered teams, have become part of the regional Ivy Tech culture. Her volunteer activities include work with the Joshua Academy, Youth Resources, Ohio Valley Hospice, YWCA, Evansville Dance Theatre and American Red Cross.

Meg Dettwiler Meg Dettwiler's rich history of volunteerism began with the Junior League of Evansville, where she served on the board of directors or executive committee for seven of her nine active years. She cheerfully contributed to fundraisers and served as a patient and enthusiastic adviser to many League members. She also supported and volunteered for Easter Seals, Evansville ARC, the Boys and Girls Club, Mesker Park Zoo &amp; Botanic Garden and the YWCA, among many other groups. She received the local Athena Award in 1996 and the League's Helen Klamer Philp Award in 1998.

Marjorie Donovan Marjorie Donovan's impressive volunteer career spans 63 years (and counting) of service to the Evansville community. Her work with the Junior League of Evansville resulted in the group becoming part of the Association of Junior Leagues International, a move that allowed the group to reap benefits from the Junior League name and become part of a network of League organizations around the globe. The Evansville Museum, Deaconess Hospital, the Girl Scouts and the Public Education Foundation are examples of local organizations that benefitted from Donovan's involvement.

Fran Eiseman As a trailblazer for women in Evansville in the 1960s and 1970s, Fran Eiseman set the pace for many to follow. She was one of the first women to open her own realty office in Evansville in 1961. She became active on many levels of the local, state and national board of Realtors, mostly on committees involving legislation and by-laws. The recipient of numerous awards for her work, Eiseman became the first woman Realtor from Evansville to receive her Indiana Graduate Realtors Institute designation in 1973. On a community level, she was involved with the Jaycee Wives group for more than 50 years and was a founding member of Operation City Beautiful. In addition to her work with several civic organizations, in 1973 she became the first woman appointed to the then named Metropolitan Evansville Chamber of Commerce.

Bettie Engelbrecht A pioneer in Indiana broadcasting, the husband-and-wife-team of Bettie and John A. Engelbrecht founded WIKY Radio in 1947. The company eventually became South Central Broadcasting, where Bettie served as its public service director. Upon John's death in 1974, Bettie and her son John D. guided and supported further development of the company that now owned and operated 13 radio stations, one television station and South Central Sound, an audio and video company that is one of the largest Muzak franchisees in the country. Today, the company is in its third generation of family ownership, and Bettie serves as director emeritus. She is a life director of the University of Southern Indiana Foundation board of directors, a supporter of New Harmony Theatre and has been active in Evansville service clubs.

Rossanna M. Enlow A lifelong resident of Evansville, Rossanna Enlow made significant and long-lasting contributions to the business community and arts organizations of the city. A gifted pianist, Enlow gave her first concert recital in 1930 in an Evansville auditorium. The nearly $850 in proceeds were the first funds collected to build today's Evansville Museum. A leader in music circles in Evansville, Enlow was active with the Evansville Philharmonic and the Musicians Club of Evansville, among other philanthropic organizations. She and her husband established a Young Artists Award, presented annually to a student at the University of Evansville. In addition to her musical talent, Enlow was named chairman of the Evansville Courier Co. in 1968 and president in 1980

Emily Orr Clifford Born to a life of privilege, Emily Clifford was a true pioneer in some of the first organized social welfare and cultural agencies in Evansville in the early 1900s. She helped found the Mothers Milk Club, the Visiting Nurses Circle and the Candlelight Club for factory girls. She was founder of the Society of Fine Arts and History, which established the Evansville Museum. She was the first woman to serve as a trustee of then-Evansville College and actively served on its board for years. She was also a founding member of the Evansville chapter of the Woman's Equal Franchise League, supporting the voting rights of women.

Zerah Priestly Carter Zerah Carter was the first African-American to attend Evansville College (now the University of Evansville) and the first to receive a four-year degree. She is credited for her significant role in shaping the African-American tradition at UE. Later an educator in the Evansville public school system for many years, including time at the all-black Lincoln High School, she influenced many African-Americans who subsequently studied at UE. In honor of Carter's accomplishments, the African-American Alumni Association at UE awards the Zerah Priestly Carter Scholarship each year to a deserving African-American student.

Nadine Coudret In 1988, Nadine Coudret became the first dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Southern Indiana. In this capacity, she has led the development and implementation of baccalaureate, master's and doctoral programs in nursing. Coudret also directed the implementation of several additional health-related programs, which hold national accreditation and/or certification. She was one of the founding organizers of the Southwestern Indiana Area Health Education Center, which targets underserved populations.

Anna Cluthe Dr. Anna Cluthe was Evansville's first female dentist, having opened her practice in 1904 at Second and Main streets. Cluthe often had to endure the reservations of some of her male counterparts, but she took the misgivings in stride and had a loyal clientele for 56 years. She was honored by the First District Dental Society in 1956 and was elected to life membership in the American Dental Association. A charter member of the Women's Rotary Club, she also held memberships in the Eastern Star and several professional groups. A replica of her office and equipment is on display at the Evansville Museum.

Lana Burton Lana Burton was one of the first African-American women to become the principal of an EVSC elementary school, having taken over this position at Culver Elementary School in 1995. She has received several awards for her professional contributions. Her charity involvements include work for the African-American Museum, Junior League of Evansville, YWCA and Weinbach Kiwanis. Through her professional work and volunteer activities, Burton broke down barriers in race relations and opened the doors to a better community environment.

Jean Brubeck Jean Brubeck was an active member of the Junior League of Evansville for many years, serving as its president in 1982/1983. Because the roles of women were changing drastically during this time, Brubeck instituted changes in the League that would help the organization better serve working women. After her tenure as president, Brubeck was slated to serve as an area director for the Association of Junior Leagues International. Brubeck's many volunteer beneficiaries include the Willard Library, Evansville Museum, YWCA, Evansville Dance Theatre, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden and the Evansville Philharmonic.

Delores "Dee" Browning After marrying her high school sweetheart in 1946, Delores Browning and her husband started Browning Funeral Home. A stay-at-home mom for many years, Browning volunteered with St. Mary's Auxiliary and was active as both a leader and in the office of the Girl Scouts of Raintree Council. As her children grew older, she took a more active role at Browning Funeral Home, eventually developing a tribute biography program, which helps grieving families celebrate the lives of their loved ones. Her involvement with the Daughters of the American Revolution led to the erection and dedication of eight historical markers within the city of Evansville.

Kathy Briscoe Kathy Briscoe is co-owner of F.C. Tucker Emge Realtors, the largest real estate company in the Tri-State area. Under her leadership, the company has experienced significant growth. Her energy for recruiting, mentoring and training has led to much of the company's success. She mentors more than 100 women, helping them resolve problems and grow professionally, personally and ethically. She is a member of several professional associations and has aided the community by serving on the boards of the YWCA, A Network of Evansville Women and the Evansville Rescue Mission.

Dr. Stella Boyd Dr. Stella Boyd was the first female obstetrician/gynecologist in Evansville. A pioneer of her time, the 1930s and 1940s, Boyd was instrumental in providing family planning services to underserved women and educating patients about birth control options. She was especially dedicated to helping the poor and often delivered babies and provided treatment free of charge. Her grave site in Evansville is shared with two infants whose young unwed mothers could not afford burial after their babies died.

Sadelle Berger A native of New Jersey, Sadelle Berger went to work for the Rural Electrification Administration in the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., before World War II. During the war, the REA was decentralized, and she was transferred to St. Louis. In 1946, she and her husband moved to Evansville. She was a secretary for the Union of Electrical Workers and was one of the principal organizers of Servel in the early 1950s. Berger was an active member of the community and participated for more than 30 years as a volunteer at the YWCA, teaching physically-challenged children to swim. She was also a volunteer at The Rehabilitation Center. She was active in her synagogue of Temple Adath B'nai Israel, where she was the first female president of the congregation. She graduated from what is now the University of Evansville. She was an active member of Friends of the Welfare Rights Organization, the League of Women Voters and Patchwork Central. She was known for bringing people together regardless of their religion, race or ethnic background.

Genevieve Bootz Genevieve Bootz's legacy of community service goes back decades. Her philosophy, "If you could, you should," has led her to many Tri-State organizations that have benefitted from her assistance. At the YWCA, Bootz helped with a shelter renovation and provided scholarships for at-risk girls. She served as president of the Vanderburgh County PTA Council and through that involvement, encouraged the development of a metropolitan school district, now known as the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. Other organizations that have been helped by Bootz include Easter Seals, the League of Women Voters, Evansville ARC, the Boys and Girls Club, and New Harmony Theatre.

Diane Arneson There are few people who voluntarily commit to serving on behalf of persons living with mental illness. Diane Arneson is one of them. She has made a difference in how this portion of our population is perceived, helping many in our community to understand mental illness and those who struggle with it. She is past president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Evansville and served for many years on the state board of this organization. Arneson is also involved in the training of local service providers, law enforcement and judicial groups to improve communication and coordination of services for people in mental health crises.

Linda Bennett The first woman to serve as the president of the University of Southern Indiana, Linda Bennett has led initiatives focused on enrollment and retention management, outreach and engagement, faculty development, the retention of intellectual capital, accreditation renewal and long-range planning. She is a mentor to all who seek her counsel and is committed to diversity in recruitment and the workplace. In addition to being active in many organizations related to higher education — some on a national level — she has served the local area through board membership of a wide variety of public and nonprofit agencies.

Vaneta Becker Vaneta Becker has represented her constituents in state government since 1981, currently serving as a state senator. Her efforts have led to increased access to health care and cancer screenings for women in Indiana; increased access to health care for children living in poverty; restored access to basic needs (food, shelter, health care) for the elderly and disabled; and increased access to higher education for Indiana residents, particularly those in Southwestern Indiana. The recipient of numerous state awards for her accomplishments, Becker has also been involved with ARK Crisis Nursery, Evansville ARC and the YWCA.

Albion Fellows Bacon Albion Fellows Bacon is known as one of the most progressive thinkers Evansville has ever seen. Long before other women had involvement in city and state affairs, Bacon's campaigns in housing reform, child welfare and public health reforms made her nationally famous in the early 1900s. By the time of her death in 1933, she was responsible for more social legislation than any other person in Indiana; she was writing state laws before women had the right to vote. She was an organizer of the Indiana Child Welfare Commission, which helped establish Riley Hospital for Children. She sponsored the bill that created the Indiana Department of Probation and its juvenile probation department. She drafted the ordinance that created the Evansville City Planning Commission. Together with a friend, Bacon has been credited with founding the Working Girls Club, which later became the YWCA. She was also organizer and longtime president of the Vanderburgh Tuberculosis Association, which established Boehne Camp Hospital, in its day one of the top tuberculosis hospitals in the Midwest.

Patty Avery

Marcia Au For the past 22 years, Marcia Au has tirelessly worked to promote the Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Library system and the important services and programs this institution provides. She led the charge in 1995 to undertake an aggressive building program that culminated in three new and five renovated facilities. In recent years, the EVPL has received numerous commendations for its quality service and outreach programs.

Carol Abrams In the nearly 30 years since she arrived in Evansville, the energy, ideas and collaborative spirit of Carol Abrams have enriched a multitude of organizations. As president of the Evansville Museum board of trustees, Abrams spearheaded an ambitious renovation of the museum's permanent art collection galleries and led the building project for EMTRAC, the Evansville Museum Transportation Center. Abrams was also an integral part of a decade-long drive to renovate The Victory, which was built in 1921. She was honored with the Mayor's Arts Award in 2001 for her dedication to the arts.

Elsie Barning Elsie Barning became the first female elected from Vanderburgh County to the Indiana House of Representatives in 1949. During her six terms, the bills she sponsored empowered women, championed women's rights and mental health issues, and focused on programs preventing child abuse and neglect. She was an active member of numerous organizations, and 45 years after she was forced to drop out of high school at the age of 15, she earned her diploma. The Elise C. Barning Memorial Scholarship was started at Reitz High School in 1990 to honor Barning's life and commitment to education.